16

Oct

Indo-Canadian community in a lurch After Diplomatic Spat

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Prabhjot Singh

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Toronto, Canada | Wednesday | 16 October 2024

Three days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, a major diplomatic clash erupted between Canada and India. Both nations expelled six diplomats each, intensifying tensions over the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. The expulsion of diplomats has caused unease among members of the Indian diaspora in Canada, as relations between the two countries deteriorate.

India firmly rejected Canada’s latest communique, which named six members of the Indian diplomatic corps, including High Commissioner S.K. Verma, as "persons of interest" in Nijjar’s killing. India defended its diplomats, asserting that the charges were unfounded and defamatory. The Indian foreign ministry responded by expelling Canada’s acting high commissioner, deputy high commissioner, and four other diplomats, with instructions to leave India by the end of the week.

This diplomatic standoff has affected the consular services between the two countries, recalling similar instances from the past. In 1986, Canada withdrew its High Commissioner to India and imposed sanctions after India conducted a nuclear test in Pokhran. More recently, both countries had significantly reduced their diplomatic presence, hinting at ongoing tensions before this latest conflict.

Article at a Glance

A major diplomatic clash has erupted between Canada and India, with both countries expelling six diplomats each. The tension began after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
India rejected the allegations, calling them "unfounded and defamatory." The diplomatic standoff has affected consular services between the two countries and has caused unease among the Indian diaspora in Canada.
Canada's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister emphasized that they have "clear and compelling evidence" of Indian government involvement in activities threatening public safety in Canada.
 India, however, dismissed the allegations as baseless and absurd. The crisis has strained Indo-Canadian relations, with both sides refusing to back down.

In his address to the Canadian public, Justin Trudeau acknowledged the concerns of many Canadians, especially those within the Indo-Canadian and Sikh communities, expressing empathy for their fear and frustration. He emphasized that Canada respects India's sovereignty and expects reciprocity but cannot overlook the alleged actions that have recently come to light.

According to Trudeau, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) possesses "clear and compelling evidence" that agents of the Indian government have engaged in activities that threaten public safety in Canada. This includes intelligence operations, coercive behavior targeting South Asian Canadians, and involvement in multiple violent incidents, including Nijjar’s murder. Trudeau criticized India’s refusal to cooperate with Canadian authorities in the investigation, leading to the expulsion of six Indian diplomats from Canada.

Canada’s Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, echoed these statements, underscoring that the RCMP had gathered "ample, clear, and concrete evidence" identifying the Indian diplomats as persons of interest. Joly explained that India was requested to waive diplomatic immunity to facilitate the investigation but declined to do so. As a result, Canada issued deportation orders to the implicated individuals. Joly urged the Indian government to support the ongoing investigation for the benefit of both nations.

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme further detailed the findings, indicating that investigators had evidence of Indian government involvement in other homicides and violent acts on Canadian soil. Although he did not reveal specifics, Duheme mentioned that the RCMP had identified over a dozen credible threats against the South Asian community in Canada, especially those associated with the pro-Khalistan movement. He noted that attempts to engage with Indian law enforcement were unsuccessful, which further strained the diplomatic relationship.

India, however, dismissed these allegations as baseless and absurd. The Indian foreign ministry maintained that the accusations against the High Commissioner and other diplomats were unacceptable and part of a broader agenda to malign India’s image. They also summoned Canada’s top diplomat in New Delhi to convey their displeasure over the charges. The Indian ministry emphasized its right to take further actions in response to what it described as the Canadian government’s support for extremism, violence, and separatism against India.

The roots of the current diplomatic crisis can be traced back to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen of Indian origin. Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India in 2020, was a prominent figure in the movement for an independent Sikh homeland. He was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, which sparked outrage and heightened tensions between India and Canada. While Canada has historically defended the right to freedom of expression, India has long accused Canada of harboring pro-Khalistani elements and allowing anti-India activities on its soil.

In response to Nijjar’s killing, four Indian nationals living in Canada were charged with his murder. This incident highlighted the longstanding disagreement between the two countries regarding the activities of pro-Khalistani groups. The Indian government has repeatedly urged Canada to act against these groups, which it views as a threat to India’s unity and territorial integrity. Canada, on the other hand, has maintained that it does not restrict peaceful expressions of political dissent, leading to a diplomatic deadlock.

The latest expulsions mark a low point in Indo-Canadian relations, with both sides digging in their positions. The Indian foreign ministry’s statement about potentially taking further actions suggests that this dispute could escalate further. Meanwhile, the Canadian government continues to stress the importance of safeguarding its citizens from external threats and maintaining its stance against foreign interference on Canadian soil.

As the situation unfolds, there is growing concern within the Indian diaspora in Canada and the wider international community. Many worry about the implications of this diplomatic row on trade, bilateral ties, and the safety of people living in both countries. The crisis has cast a shadow over what has traditionally been a robust relationship marked by strong cultural ties and economic cooperation, leaving the future of Indo-Canadian relations uncertain.

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